The proposal has been welcomed by the region's ethnic Albanian majority, who comprise 90 per cent of the two million population, but vehemently rejected by its Serb minority, Serbia, and its ally Russia.

Merkel said she made clear on the EU's behalf that a UN resolution "on the basis of the Ahtisaari plan" should be adopted.

Tadic responded that the Ahtisaari plan was "absolutely unacceptable, because it contributes to Kosovo becoming independent".

"Something that is completely unacceptable for one side cannot be declared a compromise," he added. "In a compromise there should be no losers."